Coach Sean Ireland blows the whistle during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Coach Sean Ireland blows the whistle during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Senior Tomar Joseph reaches for a pass during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Senior Tomar Joseph reaches for a pass during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Senior Marc Lerbours plays during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Senior Marc Lerbours plays during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Senior Luke Sweeney plays during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Senior Luke Sweeney plays during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Senior Andy Lovo carries the ball during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Senior Andy Lovo carries the ball during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Senior Jonathan Torres makes a catch during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Senior Jonathan Torres makes a catch during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Senior Marc Lerbours plays during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Senior Marc Lerbours plays during Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Norwalk High School's football practice at the school on Friday August 24, 2012.

Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

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Norwalk High football wants continued success

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The Norwalk High School football program and head coach Sean Ireland had a magical 2011 season finishing 9-2 overall with losses to New Canaan High and eventual state champion Xavier of Middletown.

The job in 2012 is to continue the run of success.

"Counting our freshmen, we've had a total of about 110 kids at practice," Ireland said. "To me, that's a very good sign. We have some new athletes to the program. So I believe last year's success has had a big payoff for us."

"We don't have as many great athletes. But we have a lot more depth in this year's roster," Ireland said. "In 2011, our first stringers were fabulous. This year, we'll be a different type of team. Someone like Delshawn Wilson you can't replace. But we have a large group of players who are good at a bunch of positions."

Knowing Norwalk won't be a secret in 2012, Ireland was very pleased with the Bears' work in the offseason program.

"The offseason workouts were tremendous. We had times available in the morning and in the afternoon," Ireland said. "There were 60-to-65 kids there on a daily basis. It was a good 8 1/2 weeks of weight lifting. The numbers show it was a big credit to the kids and their work ethic."

The Bears won't be running away from any challenges in 2012.

"We had T-shirts printed up for this season. And they have a bullseye on the back," Ireland said. "We understand that Norwalk is a program that opponents want to get back at. People want to get revenge from last year. Taking an opponent's best shot is a sign of a team on the rise."

The big question to be answered this preseason for Norwalk is at the quarterback position.

"We're not asking either Jared or Ryan to be like Delshawn, who was a player with singular speed and athleticism," Ireland said. "We've tweaked the offense from what it was last year. We think we can be a good football team again in 2012."